Orifice exchanger



Jan. 6, 1.948;

B. E. ANDERSON 2,433,973 AORIFICE EXCHANGER Filed Jan. 31, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet ll XML 29 I cfilji INVENTOR. PBEET' E. JIVIJERJOA/ BY Jan.6, 1948.

B. E. ANDERSON ORIFICE EXCHANGER 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 51, 1945INVENTOR. V EERT 5. 44 0 Patented Jan. 6, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE ORIFICE EXCHAN GER Bert E. Anderson, Los Angeles, Calif.Application January 31, 1945, Serial No. 575,468

12 Claims.

This invention relates to orifice plate exchangers and an object is toprovide a structure which will afford the following namedcharacteristics: First. means for readily attaching the orifice plateexchanger in a pipe line for fluids or gases; second, an improved meansfor retracting an orifice plate from operative position in a line;third, means for manually adjusting the exchanger unit forsupporting theorifice plate in operative position for cooperation in metering thevolume of fluid in a pipe line, and when retracted into inoperativeposition for sealing the line against leakage during the continuance ofa non-metering stage of operation.

A further object is to provide telescoping and relatively adjustablemembers disposed coaxially with the pipe line and arranged to be lockedin adjusted positions for sealing the orifice plate in operativeposition and for sealing the flow passage against leakage when theorifice plate is inoperative.

Another object is to provide manually operable means for retracting theorifice plate from and extending the same into operative positions,respectively, at will, by means of a control unit which is effective forpreventing the undue movement of the plate when it is moved in eitherdirection. Other objects will appear as the description progresses.

I have shown a preferred form of orifice exchanger embodying my newimprovements in the accompanying drawings which, as will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, is capable of modification, withinthe scope of the appended claims, without enlarging my invention, Insaid drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section on line l l of Fig, 4 showingmy new improvements with the orifice plate ope y positioned;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the same showing theorifice plate retracted to inoperative position and the exchangerarranged so as to seal the flow passage against leakage into the orificeplate receiving chamber;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the exchangerunit showing the orifice plate retracting stem, control means andpacking gland;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a, fragmentary top plan view of Fig, 4, partly in section;

i Fig. 7 is a plan view of Fig. 1, the View being partly in section online 11 of Fig. 1.

Briefly described, my improved orifice exchanger includes a cylindricalsection A having flanges l and 2 at its opposite ends adapted forattachment to flanges 3 and 4, respectively, of pipe line sectionsB andB; as by means of bolts 5, 5, etc., so that the bore 6 of section A willregister and be axially alined with the flow passages and 8 of sectionsB andB'. An orifice plate C is retractably positioned transversely ofbore 6 of the exchanger and is provided with a central orifice 9 which,when the plate is operatively positioned is designed to be coaxial withthe bore 6 in order that the flow of fluid through said orifice willhave a different pressure on each side of the orifice plate which makesaccurate volume measurement by comparison of the upstream and downstreampressures through the instrumentality of a suitable meter (not shown)connected with the upstream and downstream sides of the exchanger atpoints I!) and II. It may be noted that a suitable meter is illustratedin my said pending application and is of well known character and notmaterial to my invention.

The'exchanger casing A has an upwardly extended neck l2 with a flange l3thereon which is adapted to be attached to a flange M of a head D as bymeans of bolts I5. Head D and neck l2 are formed with a continuingvertically disposed chamber it into which the orifice plate C is adaptedat times to be retracted and supported. The top of chamber I6 is closedas by means of a plate I! attached to head D by screws or bolts l8, Byreference to Fig. 4 it will be noted that plate C is operativelypositioned in member A and that chamber It extends sufliciently abovethe top of the plate to permit the retraction of the plate upwardly intothe chamber to permit closing and sealing of the flow passage 6 ashereinafter described.

Plate C has a stem l9 which extends through top ll of head D as well asthrough a suitable packing gland 20 formed of cap 2| threaded onto anipple 22 of top I 1 and adapted to compress packing rings 23 betweensaid gland and the top H. Stem l9 may have a hand grip 24 by means ofwhich the orifice plate C may be retracted and extended, but preferablyis connected with a control means for moving the plate C of thecharacter shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Said control means may include, forinstance, a screw 25 which is threaded through grip 24 and is providedwith a handle 26, and at its lower end the screw may have an enlargedhead 21 which is rotatable in a chamber 28 in a nipple 29 extendedupwardly from top plate lI. Screw 25 is operatively connected with topplate I! as by means of a cap 351 threaded onto nipple 29 and extendingthrough an opening in said cap which is of less diameter than head 21.Thus, by turning handle 26 stem l9 and its attached plate C will beeither raised or lowered in accordance with the direction the screw25is-rotated.

Exchanger A has .a counterbore 3|: in which a sleeve E is longitudinallyadjustable for either confining and sealing the orifice plate C in operative position or, optionally, for sealing the flow passage 8 when theorifice plate is retracted? Said sleeve is arranged and operated asfollows: It is slidable longitudinally in the cylindrical portion A1 ofmember A under theinfiuence of anut F which is threaded externally onportion A1 as shown in Fig. l. Member A1 has one of more elongatedlongitudinal slots 32 adapted to be engaged by pins 33 which arethre'adedfiat 34*f0r detachable engagementwith sleeve and .ithe' outer:ends -:of :said' pins Y 33 "have rollers 35 held suit'ab-ltyt'thereonwhich are"adapted to rot'ate in anrannular groove" 36='formedintern'ally 'of nut The nut 'F' maybe locked: in adjustedposition as by means of a'pair of locknuts'F'fF which are'xalsothreadedtonto' portion" A1 of member A; The portioniAi is externallythreaded to receive not only the nuts F and F 'but also the flange '1,but following thefapplications of: said nuts toithe member A the flange1 is welded to said member It will be observed that :I :have providedfirings 3'!- and :38- around and-at opposite :ends of s1eVe E-f'orpreventing leakage of pressure 'or fluid be: tween the sleeve andthe member A, as well 'as other packing rings 39"and'40 between the nutF and the locking nuts F, F;

Thedownst-ream' end of the sleeve Ehas abevelled portion M which;asshowninmg. 2, when the orifice plate C is retracted; is adapted toseat in a correspondingly formedcounterbor'' 42- on the downstream sideof bore 15; at"whi'ch 'position I provide a compressible annular'pa'ckiiig ring 42 arranged'to be engage'd by the end-perms to-"anextent that will positively'se'a-l the junction betweentb re 6 andch'arnber I65 Tl'l'us th-ring's 31 and 38 "on-the upstream: side of theorifice place =C "prevent- 1 leakage 1 of fluid and 1 pressure to theleft as shown=in Fig; 1 between the mean: b'ers A-and E; and the ring 42prevents -leakage of 'pre'ssure 1 between the upstr'earnand do'wnstream-portions of bore 6 when the orifice plate is retracted and sleeveE ha's been moved=to the right as far as possible. Alsoprings=39 and 4Bprevent leakage betweerr the nuts F and F 1 undersaid lastinentionedconditionsi' Immediately below the orifice plate C 1 provide a plug 43whichis threaded into member A and serves a double purpose of 'limitingthe' downward thrust of the plate C and when removed of draining oil thecontents or sediment which may accumulate in the bore 6 adjacent plate*C."

Itis worthy of -'note that orifice -9 in plate-C is'bevelle'd'with-itsminor-portion facing upstream and-its major portion facing downstream.Said orifice is-so'formed'for the purpose of providing a sharp'edgefacing-upstream so 'as'to as'far as possible prevent anaccumulation 'of 'grit=and-sedi= ment' from collecting on'theorificeplate and thereby reducingthe effectivearea "of theprificetherein.

By reason of the "arrangement "or thaorifice plate 'in'-member- A itwill berobvious' 'that'wh'e'n the sleeve-E is adjusted to a position-"offrictional engagement with the upstream side of the orifice plate C andthe plate 0 is then retracted into chamber I6 the plate will be scrapedfree of accumulated matter on its opposite side, after which single orseveral such operations the plate may again be seated in its operativeposition. Such plate cleaning operations may be performed as often asmay be necessary. However, when and ifit becomes necessary to completelyremove atplate C from the exchanger for any purpose, such as forreplacement or lack of necessity for its. use, the plate may be held inretracted position in its chamber IS in the head D for as lon a time asmay be desired, but sleeve E will have, of course, been moved intoposition for sealing thechambe'r lfifrom bore 6. Or, removal of topplatedL'theplateC may be removed and plate ll replaced. Head D may alsobe removed with orwithout plate C if desired but in such case it ispreferable that a temporary plate be applied to flan'ge' 13 in lieu ofhead D.

In 'operatiom'the nuts F and F and flange l are' applied to the cylinderA1 of member A, said flange is welded or otherwise fixed to the cylinderand sleeve E is inserted in the cylinder and aflixed thereto'as byapplying the'p-in 33 by screwing it into the'sleeveand extendin itthrough slot 32 of the' cylinder, roller 35 having been first insertedln the 'slot 3ii. Sleeve E is adjusted'inward'ly to an approximateposition with its'end M adjacentthe upstream side of orifice plate C,and after plate C has been extended to operative position 'and itsdownward thrust limited'by adjustment of screw 43, sleeve E is finallyadjusted into wiping contact with the side of the plate CL Thereupon thelock'nuts F are adjusted on the cylinder A1 into leak proof engagementwith opposite sides of nut F and the device is in readinessforope'ration. The exchanger may then be attached-to sections B and B ofa pipe line. At necessary intervals the sleeve E may be slightlyretracted by loosening nuts F-and F sothat upon operation of handle 26the orifice plate may be retracted for cleaning: or other purposes. If,however, plate C is-removed the sleeve E is adjusted so that its end- Mwill engage a correspondingly formed portion 42min body A andsealingiring 42 and seal the bore 6 from chamber ISI Of course it isunderstood that metering of the pressures in the pipe line isefiectedonly whenlthe plate isin operative position as shown inFlg. 1.Cleaningiof the upstream'and downstream surfaces of-the orifice plate iseffected by alternately retracting .and extending-the plate C while it''isin frictional engagement with the opposite portions of member A.

As usual in suchdevices a relief valve 45-is applied to head D-which iseffective at times for relieving and equalizing the pressure in chamber16 of-the head so as notto prevent orimpair the retraction of theorifice plate as it is moved to inoperative position. This also avoidsblowingout'gas'ketsi' When sleeve E is inoperative position-it istightlyheld against flange 3 at 46', making a smooth flow of gas or liquids andeliminating 'turbulences; This smooth fiow increases theaccuracyiof'pressure' gauge readings at ill and I I when'o-rifice plateC'isin operative position.

It will be noted that, as shown in Fig. 1, the orifice 9 is'so' formedin "the plate C as to provide sharp edges on the upstream side of theplate whereby Whenthe sleeve E'is moved to the right in frictionalcontact with the plate the end of thesleevewill cl'eanofi allaccumulated sediment as the plate is retracted from and extended intooperative position. It is absolutely necessary, in order to assuresatisfactory operation, that the effective diameter of the orifice 9shall be maintained and that any accumulations around the margin of theorifice which would tend to reduce the efiective diameter thereof beprevented.

Attention is directed to the fact that sleeve E operates as acylindrical valve which when open and closely engaging plate C serves tocooperate in supporting the valve in operative position, and Whenclosed,as shown in Fig. 2, serves to seal off chamber l6 from the flow passage6, and. at the same time to provide a tightly closed joint between bodyA and the sleeve so that the flow of a fluid through the passage willnot be impaired or obstructed at the joint. The same is true of thejoint between flanges I and 3 and between flanges 2 and 4, it beingunderstood that the passages] and 8 of the pipe sections 3- and B andthe passages in the sleeve and body are of identical area. It may beunderstood that the orifice plate-C may be readily detached from theoperating handle and a new plate attached thereto. The ports I 0 and IIwhich are arranged for connection with a flow meter are preferably ar-'ranged in pairs, one on each side of the body and diametrically oppositeeach other, so that a meter may be connected to either side of the bodyand the ports on the other side plugged by suitablemeans.

I claim: 7

1'. An orifice plate exchanger comprising: a casing arranged forattachment at its opposite ends with adjacent sections of a pipeline anda longitudinal flow passage extending therethrough, a transverselydisposed seat being formed between the two sections of the flow passage,a retractable orifice plate adapted to engage and disengage said seatwhen the plate is manually operated for movement between operative andinoperative positions, a sleeve longitudinally adjustable in theupstream portion of the flow passage and having a passage thereincorresponding in area-to thatof the downstream passage in'the casing,and means externally mounted on the casing and operatively connectedwith and for adjusting the sleeve relative to the orifice plate, saidlatter means being concentric with the sleeve.

2. An orifice plate exchanger comprising: a casing having a longitudinalpassage extending therethrough and arranged for attachment at itsopposite extremities with adjacent sections of a pipe line, the upstreamportion of said passage being of greater area than the downstreamportion thereof, an orifice plate retractably mounted in the casing in aplane transversely of the flow passage and intermediate the extremitiesof the casing, a sleeve adjustable in the upstream portion of the flowpassage of the casing and having a passage of an area corresponding tothat of the downstream portion of the casing passage, the downstreamportion of the casing being formed with a seat for receiving thedownstream end of said sleeve, said ori fice plate being adapted to beseated operatively in the casing between the downstream end of saidsleeve and the adjacent seat in the casing, means concentric with andexternally on the casing but internally connected with and for adjustingthe sleeve longitudinally in the flow passage relative to the orificeplate, and means for retracting the orifice plate while the sleeve isheld in a predetermined position relative to the plate.

3. An orifice plate exchanger comprising: a

casing having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough andarranged-for attachment at its opposite extremities with adjacentsections of a. pipe line, the'upstream portion of said passage being ofgreater areathan the downstreamportion thereof, an orifice plateretractably mounted in the casing in a plane transversely of the flowpassage and intermediate the extremities of the casing, a sleeveadjustable in the upstream portionof the flow passage of the casing andhaving a passag e of an area corresponding to that of the downstreamportion of the casing passage, the downstream portion of the casingbeing formed with a seat for receiving the downstream end of'saidsleeve, said orifice plate'being adapted to be seated operatively in thecasing between the downstream end of said sleeve and the adjacent seatinthe casing, means concentric with andexternally on the casing butinternally connected with and for adjusting the sleeve longitudinallyintheflow p'a'ssagerelative'to the orifice plate, and means forretracting the orifice plate as for cleaning and removal While thesleeve is held in a predetermined position relative to the plate, a headdetachably secured to said casing and formed with a chamber forreceiving the orifice plate when the plate is retracted to inoperativeposition, means for sealing the flow passage-0f the casing and sleeveagainst leakage of fluid while and when the-orifice plate is adjusted todesired'position, and resilient packing means -'to seal the jointbetween the sleeve and the seat on the downstream portion of the casingto prevent leakage into the chamber of said'head when the plate isretracted to inoperative position.

4. An orifice plate exchanger comprising: a fixture having a smooth,unobstructed cylindrical body arrangedfor connection with sections of apipe line at its opposite extremities, an orifice plate removablymounted in said body and disposed transversely'across the fluid passageof th body, and a cylindrical member adjustable longi tudinally in thebody relative to the orifice plate and adapted to confine the orificeplate in operative position and when the orifice plate is removed toseal the fluidpassage against leakage of fluid, means mounted externallyon said body and connected with said adjustable member for adjusting andlocking the adjustable member in selected position, said latter meansbeing concentric with the body.

5. An orifice plate exchanger comprising: a fixture having a smooth,unobstructed cylindrical body arranged for connection with sections of apipe line at its opposite extremities, an orifice plate removablymounted in said body and disposed transversely across the fluid passageof the body, a tubular cylindrical member adjustable longitudinally inthe body relative to the orifice plate and adapted to confine theorifice plate in operative position and when the orifice plate isremoved to seal the fluid passage against leakage of fluid, meansholding said cylindrical member against rotation in said body, saidadjustable member being mounted on the upstream side of the orificeplate and having a bore therein 01 an area corresponding to that of theflow passage in said body, annular means mounted around said cylindricalbody for axial displacement thereon, and operative connectionbetween'said annular means and the tubular cylindrical member, a headdetachably secured to said body and formed with a chamber for receivingthe orifice plate when the same is retracted to inoperative position,and manually operable means on said head-for extending andretractingtheorifice plate to a'ndirom 'operativeposition, respctively; Said manuallyoperable zmeansnincluding. a stem vattached to therorifice plate andextended through ahd from-said head and a screw operatively connectedwith the stem outside the headwhereby when the screw is rotated theorifice plate and stemwill 'be l gradually: retracted. or extendedundepthe-control of an operator.

I 6. -In=an orificeplate exchanger, a tubular body a tubular sleevewithin the body and havmg; anend constituting aavalve, an. externaltubular member adjustablyt engaged with the body; andmeans-inter-connecting the tubular sleeve=and-theexternal member foreffecting adjustment:- of sa-id sleeve-and its valveupon adjust-merit oftheexternal member.

7. An orifice-plate exchanger as characterized in claims including: a,member engageable with each"end'of theexternaltubular memberand'adjustably-.;mounted-- on- Y the body for locking said externaltubular member in adjusted position.

8r an orifice plate: vexchanger, a tubular body a tubular sleeveWithinithe body and having an end constitutinga-- valve, an externaltubular member adjustabl-yengaged: with the body; I. and; meansinter-connecting the tubular sleeve-and the external member foreffectingadjustmenteof said sleevetand valve upon adjustment of' the externalmember; said-body having an opening 1 through which the latter: means%extendse Qv-Il'h an orifice: plate exchanger, a: tubular body; -.a=tubular i'sleeve within .-the :body; and :hav-

ing an end.constituting'a valve; an external tubular member adjustabl-yxengaged with.- the body, and means inter connectlng; the-1 tubularsleeve and: the external member for efiecting' adjustment-mi: saidsleeve-and ivalvewupon adjustment of the externaltmember saidelatter meanscomprisingtatrleasts one ra'dial-ly; arrangedpin operab-ly; movable ina,- long-itudinal" slot formed? in the tubularbod-y;

low-11 1 an orificeplate exchanger havinga cylindrieah casinge sectionsituated on the upstream' portiomof-zthe casing-a a generally-tubularoperatingv member threadedly engaging.v the exterior of the cylindricalcasing section; means extended throughthe casing and operativelyconnecting said operating member with the sleeve wherebythe sleeve maybeaxially slid in. the casing for. confiningthe orifice plate in operativeposition andlforsealinglthe casing against leakage when theorifice plateis inoperatively positioned; vand means for locking said tubular.operating member in adjusted position.

11. An orifice plate exchanger as set forth in claim 10 and in which thedownstream end of the sleeve is'provided with a projectingfrustro-coniecalperipheral projection and the casing adjacent thedownstream side of the orifice plate is provided with. a re-entrantfrustro-conical peripheral recess adapted to receive the cooperatively.formed end of thesleeve when the orifice plate is retracted fromoperative position, the mating of the sleeveand casing providing acontinuous passage.

12;. An orifice plate exchanger as set forth in claim lo andin which thedownstream end of the sleeve is provided with a projectingfrustroconical peripheral projection and the casing adjacent thedownstream side of the orifice plate is provided with a re-entrantfrustro-conical peripheral. recess adapted to receive the cooperatively.formed end of thesleeve when the orifice plate is retracted fromoperative position, the mating of the sleeve and casing providinga-continuous passage; and a compressible sealing ring carried by thebodyfor engagement with the projecting frustro-conical end ofthe valve whenthe valve is closed.

BERTE, ANDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 1 Date 174,035 Vick Feb. 22, 18761,822,961 Emery Sept. 15; 1931 1,938,460 Mufi Dec. 5, 1933

